Cost of Living Comparison Between Kalispell, MT and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Kalispell, MT and Chicago, IL

🙂 Solo nomad: Kalispell, MT is 5.6% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 3.4% cheaper with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Kalispell, MT is 7.2% more expensive than Chicago, IL without rent, and 8.6% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kalispell, MT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.05 $20.05
$20.82 $20.82
-3.70%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$79.4 $79.4
$100 $100
-20.92%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.07 $13.07
$11.97 $11.97
9.19%
Cappuccino
$5.39 $5.39
$5.56 $5.56
-3.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.44 $2.44
$3.11 $3.11
-21.54%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04 $2.04
$2.42 $2.42
-15.70%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.6 $4.6
$6.86 $6.86
-32.94%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.13 $6.13
$8.45 $8.45
-27.46%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kalispell, MT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.03 $1.03
$1.04 $1.04
-0.96%
White Bread (500g)
$3.67 $3.67
$4.15 $4.15
-11.57%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.94 $5.94
$5.52 $5.52
7.61%
Eggs
$6.53 $6.53
$4.65 $4.65
40.43%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.17 $14.17
$14.33 $14.33
-1.12%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.99 $14.99
$14.88 $14.88
0.74%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.05 $16.05
$19.34 $19.34
-17.01%
Apples (1kg)
$10.57 $10.57
$5.17 $5.17
104.45%
Banana (1kg)
$2.72 $2.72
$1.71 $1.71
59.06%
Oranges (1kg)
$7.09 $7.09
$4.41 $4.41
60.77%
Tomato (1kg)
$8.31 $8.31
$4.51 $4.51
84.26%
Potato (1kg)
$4.13 $4.13
$2.53 $2.53
63.24%
Onion (1kg)
$2.72 $2.72
$2.74 $2.74
-0.73%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.46 $2.46
$2.43 $2.43
1.23%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.91 $2.91
$2.7 $2.7
7.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.85 $9.85
$15.19 $15.19
-35.15%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.75 $14.75
$16.42 $16.42
-10.17%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.54 $3.54
$2.35 $2.35
50.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.1 $4.1
$3.7 $3.7
10.81%
🚌 Getting Around
Kalispell, MT
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.05 $2.05
$2.53 $2.53
-18.97%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$74.1 $74.1
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.51 $3.51
$3.34 $3.34
5.09%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.59 $1.59
$1.42 $1.42
11.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$28.93 $28.93
$25.42 $25.42
13.81%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.06 $1.06
$1.08 $1.08
-1.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.2K $30.2K
$32.4K $32.4K
-6.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.4K $32.4K
$26.2K $26.2K
23.52%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kalispell, MT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$228 $228
$188 $188
21.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$68.7 $68.7
$63.7 $63.7
7.91%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$75.6 $75.6
$65.2 $65.2
15.97%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kalispell, MT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$60.6 $60.6
$76.7 $76.7
-20.96%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.18 $15.18
$13.03 $13.03
16.50%
Cinema Ticket
$15.24 $15.24
$14.93 $14.93
2.08%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kalispell, MT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,166 $1,166
$2,063 $2,063
-43.49%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.6K $23.6K
$39.2K $39.2K
-39.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kalispell, MT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.01 $49.01
$64.3 $64.3
-23.79%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$60.9 $60.9
$52.4 $52.4
16.26%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$111 $111
$95.2 $95.2
16.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$59.2 $59.2
$145 $145
-59.08%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kalispell, MT
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,446 $1,446
$2,378 $2,378
-39.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,521 $1,521
$1,584 $1,584
-4.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,322 $2,322
$4,763 $4,763
-51.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,487 $2,487
$2,815 $2,815
-11.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,579 $3,579
$3,588 $3,588
-0.25%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,485 $3,485
$2,490 $2,490
39.96%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kalispell, MT
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,802 $2,802
$5,275 $5,275
-46.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.85
6.6
3.79%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Kalispell, MT: October 27, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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